Introductions

There are projects that come along, and even though I have purchased them because I love something about them….. I get stuck trying to decide how exactly I want to take them to the level of frabjous. I started painting this little armoire with one plan in mind…I was going to paint the entire thing with milk paint and leave it pretty plain….but for some reason I felt like I was just rushing to try to get the piece done and check it off my list. I want to fight against that mentality…so I literally put one coat of milk paint on the entire thing, rinsed out my brushes, and went back to the drawing board and spent a day drawing and planning out my design.

I looked through magazines, fabric and wallpaper combinations, and stared out my front window mulling over colors and patterns….but the thing that finally got me going in the right direction was a beautiful mexican blanket that I borrowed from a friend to use in a photo shoot. It was lying there just staring at me and the many different colors and different sized stripes totally caught my eye. Immediately the light bulb came on in my head. I knew the stripes would be hard, and a bit tedious but I had plenty of Frog Tape on hand and I crave a good tough furniture challenge. I knew if all went well, the pain would be so worth it! I went back to the studio the very next day, executed “my plan”, and this is what came out! Meet Tallulah! I am telling you…. with the turquoise, purple, yellow, cream, red, pink, orange, blue and green stripes…..the turquoise insides, and the pistachio green knobs….. Tallulah is a party waiting to happen!

I’m here to tell you it was indeed worth it to stand back and enjoy this little beauty!

42 Comments

christina

Wow, I love visiting you every monday and even more today. I am still struggling to find my own style and I constantly battle with myself about it. I see an image of a fully white frenchy room and fall in love, then I see a boho caravan with bright colours and oddities and want that. I have a few girls I follow and I constantly find myself being drawn to you and this piece is sooo like one of my first pieces. I think you have given me more confidence in what I do and to follow what I feel today. Thankyou

Barb Blair

christina, thank you so much for visiting and for reading! I appreciate it so much! I can totally appreciate what you are saying because I too can have mad love for a beautiful “frenchy pastel” or all white room …but I always go back to color and eclectic bohemian goodness! That is home for me….and I am so glad that you are following your true inner style! Continue down that path of originality, and great things will come of it! Don’t be afraid to be different! xo

Barb Blair

Sheepy Hollow, Thank you my friend! It is so interesting what can trigger a design plan and inspiration moment sometimes! It can be the simplest thing…..I love that inspiration is all around us. We just have to open our eyes to be able to really see it all and take it in!

I bet a few days on the farm would do me some good..wink!..and lots of inspiration would come from the colors and patterns there!

Barb Blair

Gorgeous! I’m glad you let this piece sit for a bit while you waited for inspiration and worked out a perfect plan. Now it’s not just a piece of furniture but is sure to be a statement piece in someone’s home.

Barb Blair

the salvage collection, it is SO true….I always find that when I sit down and sketch out designs I love the outcome so much more…and the collection is so much more cohesive. I am determined to do it more and more! I just wish I was a better “sketcher”……not to be confused with “sketchy”! hah!

Barb Blair

kalanicut, thank you so much! I’m glad you can relate too…..it is so hard sometimes to be right in the middle and change directions completely….but I don’t think I have ever been disappointed with the outcome when it happens! xo

Wow! Love the pallet. Growing up in Southern California, I never had much appreciation for Mexican blankets, but I totally see the resemblance and the beauty. Thanks for opening my eyes to that. So is the piece done 100% in milk paint? I just placed my first milk paint order and am waiting for the delivery. I’ll know where to go if I run into trouble 🙂

Barb Blair

vintage charm, Thank you very much! I grew up in Northern California and never had a great appreciation either…but I sure love them now! This piece is done with milk paint, chalk paint, and latex paint! I am crazy like that and like to push the limits a bit! wink! But…..the entire base is milk paint. The stripes are the only thing that are not milk paint. I am thrilled that you have just ordered some milk paint to try! Have fun….it is my favorite! Please do let me know if you have any questions….I would be happy to help! xo

Barb Blair

Miss Mustard Seed, Thanks pal……I promise I will call today! :} You are so crazy busy girl…and I do not want to take up your precious time! I was thinking about it just yesterday though…..hopefully we’ll talk soon! xo

This is divine Barb! I have a beautiful old gentelman’s wardrobe that I lovingly rescued from my neighbour’s nature strip many years ago. Stripped it back and has been waiting for further inspiration. I think I just found it…Wish you cold pop over to KL and do it for me…I have always wanted it to house my quilts I make.

Barb Blair

Melissa, Thank you so much! It is so hard to find wardrobes these days so I always pick them up when I can! They are so fun to transform…..and I am so glad that you are excited about your piece! I would love to be able to do it for you…but I can’t wait to see what you come up with! xo